Culinary History of the Gangetic Plains

Book excerpt: The world population has grown by about five billion since the beginning of the Green Revolution and many believe that, without the Revolution, there would have been greater famine and malnutrition. Population movements increase urban populations and reduce rural populations. This reduces labor productivity in agricultural areas and causes these areas to remain inactive and increases the pressure of urban development on these areas. Keeping above in view the I present this book “Culinary History of the Gangetic Plains” has been attempted. Agriculture is extremely important as it not only provides food and a sense of livelihood to many people in India, but also is a source of employment for many. Being a relatively poorer in certain parts of India, the jobs created as a result of agriculture contribute majorly to people’s incomes and livelihoods. As a result, agricultural industries greatly add to the Gross Domestic Product of India and consequently lead to benefits to the economy such as an increased multiplier effect. Historically, the civilizations established on fertile lands with assure supply of water for livelihood as well as for crops and animals. In India too Indo Gangetic plains bestowed with fertile land as well as adequate supply and availability of water for humans and animals; and irrigation purposes. Therefore, as expected in past history the population density increased more in the Indo Gangetic Plains due to favorable soils and water availability.